राजधर्मानुशासन पर्व — इन्द्र और बृहस्पति का संवाद — यथार्थ धर्म का आदर्श

Regarding this subject is cited an old history, viz., the discourse that Brihaspati, asked by Indra, delivered to him.

Brihaspati said 'Contentment is the highest heaven, and the greatest bliss. There is nothing superior to Contentment. Contentment heads all.

When one contracts all his desires like a tortoise drawing in all his limbs, then the native cffulgence of his soul soon manifests itself.

When one does not fear any creature, nor any creature is frightened at one, when one contracts onc's desire and hatred, then is one said to see one's soul.

When one, seeks to injure nobody in deed, word, and thought, and cherishes no desire, he is said to attain to Brahma.

Thus, O son of Kunti, creatures reap fruits according to the religion they follow-Awaken yourself by this thought, O Bharata.

Some laud Peacefulness; some laud Activity; some laud Contemplation; some speak high of both Peacefulness and Activity. Some speak high of Sacrifice; others, Renunciation. some speak high of Gifts, others, Acceptance.

Some leaving off every thing, live in silent meditation. Some speak of sovereignty and the caring after subjects, after killing, cutting, and piercing (foes). Some prefer spending their days in retirement. Observing all this, the learned hold that religion which consists is not injuring any creature is the one approved of by the righteous. The practice of abstention from injury, truthfulness of speech, justice, compassion, self-control, procreation (of offspring) upon one's own wives, amiability, modesty, patience, is the best of all religious as said by the self-born Manu himself. Therefore, O son of Kunti, do you practise this religion!

That Kshatriya, who, knowing. well the royal duties, take sovereignty upon himself, controlling his soul at all times, regarding that which is dear and that which is not in the same light and living upon the residue of sacrificial feats, who is engaged in restraining the wicked and cherishing the righteous, who compels his subjects to follow the path of virtue and who himself follows that path, who at last hands over his crown to his son and retires into the forest, there to live on the products of the forest and act according to the ordinances of the Vedas after having thrown off all idleness, that Kshatriya who acts thus, following the well-known duties of kings,-is sure to reap excellent fruits in both this world and the next. The final emancipation, you speak of, is lightly difficult to obtain, and its pursuit is attended with many obstacles.

They who follow such duties and practise charity and ascetic penances, penances, who are compassionate and are freed from desire and anger, who are engaged in ruling their subjects with righteousness and fighting for the sake of kine and Brahmanas, attain hereafter to a high end.

For this the Rudras, with the Vasus and the Adityas, O destroyer of foes, and the Sadhyas and innumerable other kings adopt this religion. practising carefully the duties laid down by that religion, they attain to heaven through those acts of theirs.